The Opelousas courier., 1887-05-14
I wonder if it is any one

for me-
tIf it is replied Felina, s'let me wal
here for you, Nelly. / would rather g
on with my embroidery than sit by Will
they talk to you.n
cit is seme one | have not told yol
about said Nelly, a moment later, look
ing up from the card; The has such
queer name, hasn't he! Anthony Cowl
1t is quite new experience to be admired
by a man of such a name and a characte
which well comedies whit Excuse me
Felina dear; and wouldn't it be funny i
I came back cngaged2p The Cameleor
embraced and kissed her friend witt
genuine fervor and arranged her lovely
hair at the mirror, and then swept out o.
room. She stood at the head of the stairs
for a breath's space, and then returned to
her parior and put her lips near Fellna's
ear, Whispering: aIf MIR. Cowl would
only prove irresistible!"
As Felina sewed she often smiled. II
was amusing to her to guess, every few
minutes, how the courtship was progress
ing; how the sutton with the odd name
was becoming elatcd and how the rare
young tirt upon whom he gazed was in
voluntarily bringing him to the denoue-
mcnt which had proved so fatal to a dozen
other men, as if the girls heart were Swiss
machinery which could only accomplish
one thing, although it seemed so human.
And Felina also gave a smile to the re-
Election that the Cameleon herself was
acting in perfectly good faith, and was
most eager to discover a genuine interest
in one of these admirers; but her good
sense and her unlimited opportunities
stood much in the way of a final decision.
81 really don't know what to say" the
Cameleon hesitatingly confessed to Mr..
Anthony Cowl, looking down at her lap
full of black lace, as she locked her fingers
together. 81 do like you so much; and
| think your mother is perfectly sweet.
But | suppose / am awfully young to
choose whatmy destiny snail be; and per-
haps you arc a little old to be my des-
tiny; and then, | never expected so be a
Mrs. Cowl.' 1t would seem SO strange"
The Cameleon had a mental vision in
which people talked about ."the beauti-
full Mrs. Cowl.n
'tSeems to me- said her lover, with
glistening eyes and flushed cheeks, glad
enough to find himself in the girls pres
ence again after a miserable absence,
sSseems to me it is q pity to put me off be
cause my name is CoWl, and | have five
years more in my existence than ! exactly
reqirc. Life is short; at any rate, and
happiness is never at its climax for a very
long space, no matter what our fortune is.
Perhaps if you married me your happiness
would be as complete for as long a season
as if you married a young fellow nearer
your own age. And as for name you
might find people paid a good deal of
respect to it when coupled with fine din
ncrs and a box at the opera"
The Camcleon looked up at him some
what furtivcly, but he caught her glance
as he dcvoured every motion, she made.
He became eagerly cxpectant.
II was thinking to tell the truth, =
said she, 'sthat you kept your temper
wonderfully under a sever test; for Pco-
pie usually adore their own m am
sure | am much obliged to you for bear
ing with my whims, Mr. Cowl."
.Dont-don't be SO gentle and en-
couraging, he exclaimed, unless you
will let me kiss your hand,,a
Again she gazcd at him from under
her lashes, while her lover was on the
alert to spring to his feet and kneel at
her side if he saw a permission in her
face.
inlay may / kissyour hand?" he
with trembling lips.
II was just thinking how very-very
considerate you are of my wishes, !" she
murmured, but shaking her hand. 81
do ~thinksyour mother is so sweet. Mr..
she added, irreleyantly; and then
explained, with a burst of confidence:
you know what a lady would not likem!
In a moment she went n Ibid you
yer do anything which people told You
remarkably noblc?n
"No, indeed. Why?'
Ag lin Nelly treated Anthony Cowl to
searching but subtle glance.
YOU'RE the first man met who
allied to tell me so,n she said, smflng.
But wouldn't you make a great sacrifice
or me27
81 hardly believe / would" answered
Ter admirer. sacrifice would
lecessitate my being wholly absent from [
-ou. or something. Of the sort, to strike a {
leath-blow to my happiness in yon. IL
hould be a fool to make any sacrifice for
rou worthy of the nam. i
The Cameleon laughed outright. {
aYou seem willing to be quite honest, Z I
he commented. But, Mr.. Gowl, aren't /
on afraid 10 become engaged to me- even /
{ / am to be persuaded, considering that I
have changed my mind very often
lready, so that they actually call mea t
,ameleon2 was talking about it with t
mother the last time / called, and 1
lie said that 7 would probably go on /
hanging my mind until 1 was 20 unless
omething very extraord nary happened, /
ust as a brook runs ever so irregularly q
own a m~ountain-side until it reaches a S
.rcat fssure which hens it firmly I'M
aWeIl, / shall be satisfied if you be- t
ONE engaged to me, Anthony Cowl re- O
lied. II can't ask you to marry me first, c
know, and have the engagement D
fterward, although ! might prefer it. b
/ is just possible you might really marry b
nc, after ALL b
Fl suppose lam very ambitious, Nelly S
smarkcd. 81 suppose I1haye such a b
snse OF my own Importance that ! think v
nly Of myself and believe that nothing is i
ood enough for me Z v
Isl certainly don feel good enough for Y
CowI declared, with . little sigh. Il
But / don't pay so much attention to &
lat. / love you with my whole soul, as a
lie most beautiful woman I could ever b
ream of seeing; and q woman with a
in her eyes and d tone in her voice
lat awakened something in my heart !